Reality TV News - February 2003

February 28, 2003NBC has announced that pop superstar Lance Bass will get “’N Sync” with NBC when he joins the network’s newest series, “The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America,” as the show’s lead judge in all four episodes of the new talent-reality series. Bass will be joined each week by two celebrity guest judges who will be announced at a later date. Hosted by Mario Lopez (NBC’s “The Other Half”), the one-hour series will be broadcast for four weeks on Fridays (8-9 p.m. ET) beginning March 21.

February 28, 2003Planning a big event? Want that special someone as a guest star to bring in the crowds? The Smoking Gun reports that the "dream couple" from Fox's Joe Millionaire, Evan Marriott and Zora Andrich, have signed with a booking firm to line up personal appearances.

February 28, 2003Our episode summary for the ninth episode of ABC's I'm A Celebrity -- Get Me Out Of Here!, entitled 'The First Cut Is The Deepest' and written by AyaK, has been posted. Click here to read it.

February 27, 2003Looks like one of the made-for-reality-TV unions might actually be heading toward the altar. Knight-Ridder Newspapers reports that the final couple from The Bachelorette, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter, registered for wedding gifts at the Century City Bloomingdale's in Los Angeles. on Wednesday, February 26. Not surprisingly, TV cameras accompanied them on the errand, which is tied to their tentative June 7 wedding date.

February 27, 2003FOX has revealed the identities and photos for five of the singles who will be appearing on their upcoming "Married In America" arranged marriage reality series. The series will premiere Monday, March 3rd at 8:00PM ET followed by a one-hour episode on Wednesday, March 5th at 9:00PM ET.

February 27, 2003Is the search for true love only skin deep? Do looks matter? Is it possible for a woman to fall in love with a man based only what he’s like on the inside -- his personality, sense of humor, and values? The truth will be unmasked on the new unscripted relationship series MR. PERSONALITY coming to FOX (Mondays 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) later this season.

February 27, 2003NBC has announced an open casting call is being held in Los Angeles on Monday, March 3 to find prospective contestants for “Next Action Star,” the network's exciting new 10-episode reality series scheduled to premiere on NBC this summer.

February 26, 2003They said it couldn't be done. But it will be. The Associated Press reports that Fox TV chairman Sandy Grushow has confirmed that the network will produce a second edition of Joe Millionaire, even though potential contestants are unlikely to be fooled by a repeat of the show's underlying fraud regarding "Joe"'s wealth. Instead, a different gimmick has been developed.

February 25, 2003Mark your calendars! In what's become an annual rite of spring, due to the CBS Sports coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, "Survivor: The Amazon" will be broadcast on Wednesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

February 25, 2003‘American Idol’ finalist Tamyra Gray made her acting debut last night on the FOX series Boston Public (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). FOX now reports that the number of episodes Tamyra will appear in has now been increased from four to seven.

February 25, 2003Reuters reports that Georgia's senior U.S. senator, Zell Miller, today accused CBS of "bigotry for big bucks" and demanded that the network cancel its planned reality-show remake of The Beverly Hillbillies.

February 25, 2003The Smoking Gun reports that current Real World Las Vegas houseguest Alton WIlliams, 23, was arrested early Saturday morning for assault and resisting arrest after trying to punch out a bar manager at a charity fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina.

February 25, 2003Our episode summary for the third, fourth and fifth episodes of ABC's I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! entitled "Catfights, Crocs, Coffins, Crud and Creepy Crawlers," written by AyaK, has been posted. Click here to read it.

February 24, 2003Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted "Homophobe Revealed… But Where’s The Homo?," the latest installment of his 'Gay Survivor Journal,' his weekly commentary about "Survivor: The Amazon" from a gay point of view.

February 24, 2003Sore loser #1, meet sore loser #2. In separate articles, Reuters/Variety reports that both NBC president Jeff Zucker and CBS president Les Moonves blasted the reality-show genre for distorting the February sweeps -- apparently because the biggest ratings successes of the month, Joe Millionaire and American Idol, ran on Fox.

February 24, 2003Variety reports that the ratings for ABC's unprecedented every-night showing of I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here! had remained unimpressive through the first four nights of the show, but that ABC was hoping that Saturday's ratings might indicate that the series was picking up some momentum.

February 23, 2003According to final National Nielsen ratings for Thursday, February 20th, the second episode of CBS "Survivor: The Amazon" was the ratings winner in viewers and households in an extraordinarily competitive night which included a two-hour Michael Jackson special, more from "The Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" and a double dose of "Friends," .

February 23, 2003A follow-up special to the most recent edition of "The Bachelor" was a big draw for ABC from 8:00-9:00 p.m. "The Bachelor: Aaron and Helene Tell All" generated ABC's strongest viewer and young adult delivery in over 2 years with entertainment programming in the hour (13.5 million viewers & 5.8/14 in Adults 18-49) - since 12/7/00 and 11/16/00, respectively.

February 22, 2003Part 1 of our episode summary for the series finale of FOX's "Joe Millionaire," entitled "But First, A Crapisode to Beat All Crapisodes," written by AMAI, has been posted. Click here to read it.

February 21, 2003Despite airing in a much more competitive Thursday 10PM timeslot versus original episodes of NBC's "ER" and CBS' "Without A Trace," the second installment of "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!" continued to improve its time periods for ABC among young adult viewers. "I'm a Celebrity" bettered the Network's averages in the hour with non-sports programming this season by 24% in Adults 18-49 (3.6/9 vs. 2.9/7) and by 67% in Adults 18-34 (3.5/10 vs. 2.1/6).

February 21, 2003Variety reports that CBS has greenlighted Big Brother 4 for this summer. In addition, executive producers Arnold Shapiro and Allison Grodner were given two-year contracts to oversee the production of both BB4 and Big Brother 5 -- although the network has not yet greenlighted the latter show.

February 20, 2003Reuters reports that Evan Marriott, the shaggy 28-year-old construction worker who pretended to be heir to a $50 million fortune for FOX's "Joe Millionaire" reality show, lavished praise on runner-up Sarah Kozer in a People magazine interview amd implied he believes she might very well have been a gold digger. And for her part, Zora confessed that she did fall in love during her stay at the rented French chateau... but it was with a horse.

February 20, 2003USA Today reports that after getting engaged in romantic, dramatic fashion ABC's "The Bachelor," Helene Eksterowicz said she was dumped unceremoniously at a Starbucks near her New Jersey apartment.

February 20, 2003The Contra Costa Times reports that in a recent interview with People magazine, the relationship between "Joe Millionaire" Evan Marriott and Zora Andrich came across as -- prepare yourself for the shock -- anything but starry-eyed soul mates.

February 20, 2003The Houston Chronicle reports that Houston tax accountant Daniel Lue, one of the castaways in Survivor: The Amazon, returned home from Brazil with an unexpected guest in his body: malaria.

February 20, 2003Just in case you were still wondering how low reality can go, Variety reports that ABC is teaming up with the producers of syndicated television's "Blind Date" for an unscripted series some industry insiders are already labeling a reality take on the "Indecent Proposal" movie.

February 20, 2003ABC reports that with Trista Rehn choosing Colorado fireman Ryan Sutter, the season finale for the "The Bachelorette" dominated its time period. Opposite stiff competition from Fox's "That 70's Show," followed by 90-minutes of "American Idol," "The Bachelorette" led its 2-hour time period by 3.7 million viewers (20.4 million vs. 16.7 million) and by 18% among Adults 18-49 (9.2/20 vs. 7.8/19). "The Bachelorette" stood as the most-watched program of the night and the top draw among Adults 18-49. ABC estimates that 30 million viewers tuned in to watch at least some portion of the season finale for "The Bachelorette."

February 20, 2003Oh ya, this is going to be a train wreck... ESPN reports that according to a Hollywood TV show producer who says he's been having substantive negotiations with a major television network, a reality show featuring Mike Tyson could be announced in the coming weeks.

February 20, 2003Our episode summary for the premiere episode of ABC's "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!," entitled "They're Celebrities? Get Out!," written by Bebo, has been posted. Click here to read it.

February 19, 2003ABC reports that the network's "Celebrity Mole Hawaii" series went out with a bang, with the season finale drawing the series' largest audience (12.1 million) and highest Adult 18-49 rating (5.9/15). Winning its hour for the 5th consecutive week among Adults 18-34, "Celebrity Mole Hawaii" beat NBC's powerhouse drama, "Law & Order," by its largest margin ever, an impressive 28% (6.1/18 vs. 4.7/14). "Celebrity Mole" also held No. 1 ranks in the hour among Men 18-34 (4.3/13), Women 18-34 (7.7/21) and Teens 12-17 (4.8/19). The "Celebrity Mole" finale came within 11% in rating and 2 share of NBC's powerhouse drama in Adults 18-49 (6.6/17).

February 19, 2003The Globe and Mail reports that Ryan Sutter, one of the final two men competing for Trista Rehn's affection on The Bachelorette, may be headed to the Great White North to resume his football career.

February 19, 2003Reuters reports that Joe Millionaire might not be a one-shot deal after all. The chairman of Fox Television stated that Fox "was close to figuring out a way to do a sequel next season."

February 18, 2003ABC has announced the airdates and times for all fifteen episodes of its upcoming "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!" reality series. The series will continue to air live for 15 consecutive nights on the network.

February 18, 2003Never mind $1,000,000 for the two of them, maybe FOX should have given Evan and Zora a few million dollars each. Reuters reports that according to data from Nielsen Media Research, the two-hour finale of FOX's "Joe Millionaire" reality series was nothing less than a blockbuster for the network on Monday night, with an average of 34.6 million people tuning in. No other show on the other major networks drew more than about 18 million viewers in any one half-hour during the night, according to Nielsen data.

February 18, 2003PageSix.com is reporting that Frenchie Davis, the plus-sized "American Idol" contestant who was kicked off the show after posing for racy photos on the Internet, has been hired to cover the Grammys for "Entertainment Tonight."

February 18, 2003The WB has announced that it has ordered a second installment of the headline-grabbing, celebrity-obsessed "The Surreal Life" series. "The Surreal Life" premiered on The WB in January and instantly swept the nation with its tongue-in-cheek, yet surprisingly human, take on the lives of celebrities whose stars aren't exactly burning bright these days.

February 18, 2003Evan and Zora may have made a tasty appetizer, but Survivor is still the main course in the world of reality TV. As previously reported here, the 90-minute premiere of Survivor: The Amazon, the sixth in the series, led CBS to its first victory on a Thursday night during February sweeps in 10 years -- and the last victory was achieved using specials instead of regularly-scheduled series.

February 15, 2003According to Reuters, NBC has decided to spin an idea from an upcoming episode of Meet My Folks off into a new reality series. The new series, to be called Who Wants to Marry My Mom?, will permit the adult children of single mothers to pick a partner to share a fantasy vacation with Mom.

February 14, 2003ABC has announced that "Countdown to Hotness," the 1-hour lead-up special to the "Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People" series debut, featuring the search for contestants across the U.S., drew an average audience of 7.4 million viewers and a 3.1 rating, 8 share among Adults 18-49. "Countdown to Hotness" put ABC well ahead of Fox in the hour with its encore airing of "Joe Millionaire." "Countdown to Hotness" beat "Joe Millionaire" (5.1 million & 2.0/5) by 2.3 million viewers and by 55% in Adults 18-49.

February 14, 2003CBS has announced that the February 13th premiere of "Survivor: The Amazon" won its 8:00-9:30 PM time period in households (13.3/20), viewers (23.26m), adults 25-54 (10.4/24) and in a virtual tie for first in adults 18-49 (9.1/24, -0.1 behind NBC). "Survivor: The Amazon" dominated the 8:30-9:30PM time period in households, viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

February 14, 2003The judges have spoken, and USA Network is proud to announce the twelve finalists for Nashville Star, a grassroots nationwide talent search for the next country music superstar premiering Saturday, March 8 at 9:00 PM (ET/PT) on USA Network. The finalists will compete for a recording contract with Sony Music Nashville over the course of the live nine-week series. They will live together in a fully-wired Nashville house where cameras will record their day in and day out quest to become the next great country music sensation.

February 14, 2003Ten celebrities will leave behind their pampered lives for weeks of roughing it in a remote camp in the Australian rain forest, on the premiere of "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!," the fresh, interactive series to be broadcast live, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The series will continue to air live for 15 consecutive nights on the Network.

February 14, 2003ABC has announced that actress/model and former Playboy Playmate Nikki Schieler Ziering has been named as the 10th cast member of ABC's new reality series, "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!"

February 11, 2003Not to be confused with their other already announced upcoming "The Will" reality series created by "Bachelor" creator Mike Fleiss, Variety reports that ABC has picked up another reality series entitled "The Family" that pits extended family members against each other not for an inheritence, but instead for a chance at $1 million.

February 11, 2003Variety is reporting that the WB Network is close to inking a deal with Michael Davies' Diplomatic Productions, the team behind ABC's former hit "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" to produce a two-hour live special with a whopping $1 billion jackpot--the most prize money offered in television history. According to the reports, Davies, executive producer of ABC's upcoming naughty new series "The Wife Swap," has joined forces with Pepsi to bring the big-bucks game show to the air in September.

February 11, 2003Variety reports that "society princesses" Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are about to eschew their parties, wardrobes and trust funds for "The Simple Life," a reality series set to air on Fox. The "Green Acres"-inspired show will follow hotel scion Hilton and Richie (the daughter of pop crooner Lionel Richie) as they move in with a farm family for five weeks.

February 11, 2003Variety reports that former rapper and current minister MC Hammer, who's re-entered the public spotlight thanks to his appearance on "The Surreal Life, " has signed a blind script deal with The WB.

February 10, 2003FOX has announced that "Married By America" their new, unscripted reality series from the creators of the hit series “Joe Millionaire,” will launch with a three-hour premiere over two nights. The first two hours will air on Monday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) followed by a one-hour episode on Wednesday, March 5 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). One-hour episodes will begin airing in their regular Monday (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) time period on March 10 - the night the series’ couples meet for the very first time and get engaged.

February 8, 2003SurvivorBlows Spoiler Island fantasy prediction game has opened for Episode 1 picks -- get your picks in now. And if you haven't signed up yet, then what are you waiting for, sign up now -- almost 10,000 other game players can't be wrong!

February 8, 2003Nearly 26 million Americans watched as Aaron Buerge proposed marriage to Helene Eksterowicz last November. Now, amidst rumors of a break-up, Aaron and Helene sit down to discuss their relationship, on "The Bachelor: Aaron and Helene Tell All," airing THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

February 7, 2003NBC’s “Last Comic Standing: A Search for the Funniest Person in America” will conclude its semi-finals on Monday, February 10 at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles (7 and 9 p.m.). Comedians Joe Rogan (NBC’s “Fear Factor”), Buddy Hackett and Mo’Nique (in consultation with show producers) will select which semi-finalists will move to the finals at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 13. Finalists from the New York semi-finals were selected on February 3 by celebrity judges Caroline Rhea, Joy Behr and Colin Quinn (also in consultation with show producers). The semi-finalists were selected during talent searches across the country for NBC’s upcoming "Last Comic Standing" series executive produced/hosted by actor/comedian Jay Mohr ("Jerry McGuire").

February 7, 2003The Associated Press reports that the second season of The Anna Nicole Show will premiere with a live episode, to air on E! Entertainment TV at 10 PM on March 2. The show will feature Anna Nicole Smith attending a bachelor conference, as she continues her search for love (or at least for more money).

February 7, 2003ABC has announced that dancer/choreographer Cris Judd will join the cast of ABC's highly-anticipated new reality series, "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!." The producers of the new series also announced that the show is expanding the cast to ten celebrity participants. The 9th cast member will be actress/singer Maria Conchita Alonso ("Kingpin"). The 10th cast member will be announced shortly.

February 6, 2003It's official -- reality TV has officially jumped the shark! NBC announced today that it's new reality series, “Second Chance: The Search for the Most Talented Senior in America,” will begin production immediately and that the series will premiere later this season. Hey, remember, these are the folks who also thought "Lost" was a good idea for a reality series...

February 6, 2003NBC announced today that it's new reality series, “The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America,” will begin production immediately abd that the series will premiere later this season. “’American Idol’ has been a huge success, and we tip our hat to the job they’ve done, “ said eff Gaspin, Executive Vice President, Alternative Series, Longform and Program Strategy. “But, they’ve only identified great talent between the ages of 16 and 24."

February 6, 2003FOX has announced that their ratings-breaking "Joe Millionaire" reality series will conclude in an exciting two-hour finale, airing Monday, Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. After weeks of wining and dining 20 beautiful women who believe he is a millionaire, Evan Marriott a.k.a. “Joe Millionaire,” must reveal to “The One” that he is really a construction worker with a limited income, not a dashing playboy with wealth beyond her dreams. Who is the woman that Evan ultimately chooses? Will she accept him for whom he really is, or reject him in search of greener pastures? Plus, find out what the other single women think now that they know the truth.

February 6, 2003NBC has announced that reality series “Dog Eat Dog” will return in a preview on Monday, February 24th (10-11 p.m. ET) followed the next night with its regularly scheduled season premiere on Tuesday, February 25th (8-9 p.m. ET). The competition-based series was renewed for a second season of 13 episodes last August.

February 6, 2003ABC has announced that pop singer Geri Halliwell, NBA legend John Salley and entertainment executive extraordinaire Suzanne de Passe will put teams of finalists through rigorous training in an effort to have one of their young women chosen as the ultimate American dream girl on ABC's upcoming "All American Girl" reality series.

February 5, 2003Well, well, well, clearly Aaron "HAVE I MENTIONED MY NEW RESTAURANT YET?" Buerge never met a camera that he didn't like, therefore his involvement in this certainly comes as no surprise, but E! Online is reporting that in addition to the upcoming "Extra" interview that we reported on earlier, Aaron and ex-fiancée Helen have agreed to a February sweeps ABC exclusive interview special to discuss their failed relationship.

February 5, 2003ABC has announced that actress/supermodel Rachel Hunter, fashion designer Randolph Duke and actor Lorenzo Lamas will help determine America's sexiest man and woman as celebrity judges on the network's upcoming "Are You Hot? The Search For America's Sexiest People" reality series.

February 5, 2003From coast to coast, thousands of hopefuls gathered in recent weeks to get the chance to compete for the crown of the sexiest man or woman in America. Talent, personality and strategy were not required, just physical beauty and innate sexiness. Now TV viewers get their chance to vote on the regional finalists as they face a celebrity panel of experts, including Rachel Hunter, Randolph Duke and Lorenzo Lamas. The six-episode reality series from Mike Fleiss (of "The Bachelor" franchise), "Are You Hot? The Search For America's Sexiest People," debuts with a special two-hour premiere on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET). After the premiere week, the show will air in its regular time period on Thursdays, from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET. The program's host is TV personality J. D. Roberto (Food Network, Animal Planet).

February 5, 2003Variety reports that The WB has ordered a second seven-episode season of the hourlong series, which takes a group of former classmates and brings them back together 10 years after graduation to participate in a reunion at a fantasy location.

February 4, 2003Think you’re a know-it-all? Want to prove once and for all that you are, in fact, smarter than everyone you know? Put your money where your mouth is when FOX airs the live two-hour special TEST THE NATION Friday, April 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

February 3, 2003The Springfield News-Leader reports that 'Bachelor' Aaron Buerge has confirmed to them what Bachelor fans have speculated for weeks: That the bloom is off the rosy relationship he developed with Helene Eksterowicz in front of millions of ABC viewers. Eksterowicz broke the silence first in an interview with "In Touch" entertainment magazine, on stands now.

February 2, 2003Launch.com reports that before she was an American Idol, Kelly Clarkson appeared in a gay video. The film, entitled "Issues 101," tells the story of student running for president of a fictional college's Greek system. Clarkson plays a coed who is asked by a fellow undergrad to have sex and then is seen leaving with the guy. According to Launch, Clarkson is fully clothed in her cameo.

February 2, 2003The New York Post reports that on Greg Todtman, the bachelor who was booted this past week by "Bachelorette" Trista Rehn, was arrested Friday for cocaine possession at JFK airport. Port Authority Police report that Todtman, 28, was busted with a "very small amount" of coke on him as he passed through a screener on his way to a 4 p.m. Los Angeles-bound American Airlines flight.

February 1, 2003The Final 32 competition of "American Idol" has yet to begin but already one of the finalists has been given the boot! USA Today reports that Jaered Andrews of Youngstown, Ohio has been disqualified after a Fox background check revealed him to be a former member of the Youngstown-based hip-hop band Ordinary Peoples.